USE OF GAS DEPOLARIZED ANODES FOR THE ELECTROCHEMICAL PRODUCTION OF ADIPONITRILE

摘要

Gas depolarized anodes used in the electrohydrodimerization of acrylonitrile to adiponitrile result in anode voltage requirements of less than about 400 millivolts at 100 milliamperes per square centimeter of electrode area. Typically, oxygen evolving anodes characterized by high theoretical voltages and high overvoltages are utilized in the hydrodimerization of acrylonitrile to adiponitrile. Also, a supply of acrylonitrile is maintained in contact with the cathode and a supply of reductant is maintained in contact with the anode. Gas depolarized anodes requiring substantially reduced voltages perform well in the conventional electrochemical adiponitrile production environment.